Colossill Artist of Week: Kiranjeet Kaur

Colossill Artist of Week: Kiranjeet Kaur

Hailing from England, the amazing and talented Kiranjeet Kaur brings wonderful colors and soothing elements with her paintings. Being inspired by Afro-Carribean and Indian culture, music, sunshine, Feminism and Autumn colours, her paintings have wonderful cool vibes and are bursting with positive energy!

1. Tell us a little about yourself? Where you are from? Your age?

I am a 24 year old university graduate. I have grown up in the South West of England from a small town called Swindon and spent a few years of my life in a city called Bristol.

2. How did you start making art?/Why do you make art?
My dad used to take us to the beach on the south coast of England where we used to rent out a cottage for the time we were there. In the cottage there were paintings hung up on all the walls and I discovered the owner of the cottage had painted them. At that point I was more curious about art. I used to keep scrapbooks full of drawings which I never showed anyone in fear of them making fun. Although I took art classes up until I was 22, I felt it didn’t mean anything because it was all being judged and graded. The art I made wasn’t created for myself. I make art now with no restrictions. I think thats why I use such bright and bold colours. I have learnt its ok for things to not be perfect.

3. What is your most important artist tool? Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?

My imagination. You can create any form of art with any materials but when you come face to face with a creative block its so difficult to create an art piece that connects with people as well as yourself. I always say “Your imagination is your oyster.

4. How old were you when you started?

I’ve been drawing since the age of 7. I have only really taken it seriously since last year.

5. What inspires you?

Afro-Carribean and Indian culture, music, sunshine, Feminism and Autumn colors.
6. Any artist you you look up too? “I adore Basquait. For an artist I’m not that in touch with art history. I actually came across Basquait when someone compared my work with his. Since then I’ve been reading up on his life and his work/art ethic.”

7. What artwork/Song are you most proud of? My first successful art pieces was based on a tribal project where I merged photography with painted art work. It was successful not because of the response, but for it was the first project where I did not worry about the outcome nor worry for what feedback I would receive.

8. What’s your background?
I was born and raised in the UK but both my parents are from the Punjab (North India) so I engage with both eastern and western cultures.

9. What art do you most identify with?
Art that gets you thinking and reflects upon political and social issues. As a person, I am interested in current affairs though this doesn’t always come across in my work. It is a personal interest of mine.

10. Describe a real-life situation that inspired you? “My Father is a man who came from nothing. He came to England in the 70’s with no money and no education but is now a successful business man. He has grafted his whole life and has taught me the value of time, patience and money. I am inspired by him every day.”

11.What food, drink, song inspires you? Nothing in this world beats my mum’s home cooked food. I have friends who cook amazing Caribbean dishes too…my favourite is brown stewed chicken. In terms of music theres a song by J Cole called “Losing My Balance”.

12. What is your dream project? “To hold an exhibition in the UK and eventually venture out to the States.”

13. Name three artists you’d like to be compared to. “Personally I don’t like to invite comparisons about my work. I leave it for others to critique it.”

14. Favorite or most inspirational place?
That I cannot decide. I can inspired and re-inspired all the time regardless of time or place.

15. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Everything I have, I grafted for. Create your own luck

16. Professionally, what’s your goal?
To become an internationally known artist. To continue to inspire and create.